Sports briefs: DHS grad Rocks the ACC Indoor Championships

BLACKSBURG, Va. — It seems like every time Ian Rock competes with a Blue Devil jersey on, something good happens.

The former Davis High standout — who won a prep state championship in the pole vault — is now a sophomore on the Duke track and field team, which competed at the ACC Indoor Championships last weekend. On Friday, Rock earned ACC gold in the men’s heptathlon with a personal-best 5,328 points.

“I was so relieved when it was over,” Rock said. “It felt so good. I gave coach (Shawn) Wilbourn a hug and it felt great to know that all the work that I’ve put into it and all the stuff I’ve invested, even just over these two days, was worth it. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Rock started the day in fifth place, but just over 100 points behind the leader.

He climbed the ladder with a personal-best 8.71 in the 60-meter hurdles, then hit another PR in his bread and butter event — the pole vault. Rock’s height of 16-0.75 moved him into second place, and one last personal record — a 2:38.41 in the 1,000 meters — clinched the overall victory.

“We know that my second day is better than my first day,” Rock said. “I made it hard on myself but I knew that I had to try. I was able to get a personal record in hurdles, I knew I had to have a good day in pole vault and I matched my personal best there.

“Going into the 1,000, I knew that I could win so I just had to run a good race.”

UCD women’s golf

Seniors Demi Runas and Amy Simanton tied for second and sixth, respectively, to help the No. 11 Aggies finish in fourth place at the inaugural Cal Classic at Ruby Hill Golf Club on Tuesday in Pleasanton.

Runas fired a 1-over 73 on the 6,304-yard course to complete the 36-hole tournament at even par, while Simanton carded a 74 and was just 2-over. The standout senior duo led a UCD squad that also had sophomore Blair Lewis shoot a 75 to tie for 29th at 10-over, freshman Raegan Bremer finish with an 80 to tie for 36th at 12-over and freshman Betty Chen shoot 79 to tie for 45th at 15-over.

The Aggies posted a team score of 13-over 301 on Tuesday, placing fourth at 23-over 599. No. 13 Stanford won the 11-team tournament at 10-over.

First-day leader Noemi Jimenez of Arizona State, ranked 37th in the country by Golfstat, shot a 71 on Tuesday and was 5-under for the tournament, to top Runas, UNLV’s Dana Finkelstein and Mariko Tumangan of the Cardinal.

Runas, ranked 11th by Golfstat, had a very consistent round on Tuesday, posting seven pars, a birdie and just one bogey on her front nine. She strung together six straight pars on the back before finishing with a birdie and two bogeys. Runas had an impressive 1-under 71 on Monday.

River Cats preseason party

The ticket office at Raley Field will open for the season on Sunday, March 10, and the Sacramento River Cats are celebrating with a preseason party presented by Raley’s and Bel Air, featuring free food, a live band, two photo booths, free stadium tours and balloon artists for children.

At the festivities — which are free and open to the public from noon to 3 p.m. — fans will get an all-access look at Raley Field in advance of this season’s Opening Night, scheduled for Thursday, April 4. Free stadium tours will be available throughout the event, and will include photo opportunities in the clubhouse.

Entertainment for young River Cats fans will include balloon artists, photo booths and bounce houses as well as an appearance by Dinger.

Round Table Pizza will be distributing free pizza samples, while free hot dogs and soda also will be available. Raley’s will provide food samples of different items throughout the concourse area.

City softball

Registration for the city of Davis spring softball leagues starts on Monday.

Signups are first-come, first-served, and will close Friday, March 15, or earlier if the leagues fill. League play begins Monday, April 1. Fees for the nine-game season are $510 per men’s team and $471 per coed team. Each team also must pay a $20 fee for ASA registration.

For league nights and more information, contact Lori Conrad at 530-753-7731 or lconrad@cityofdavis.org. Information is also available at www.cityofdavis.org.

Bicycling Hall of Fame

Nominations are being taken now for the U.S Bicycling Hall of Fame’s class of 2013.

Submissions are due before Friday, and can be sent by downloading the nomination form at www.usbhof.org/nomination-process.

The four official induction categories for 2013 are modern road and track competitor (1971 to 2008), veteran road and track competitor (1970 and prior), off-road competitor (mountain bike, BMX, Cyclocross) and contributor to the sport of cycling.

Additional information about the process can be found on the website.

Batting cages open

The city-operated batting cages at Playfields Park in South Davis are now open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mondays through Fridays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. The cages also are available for private rental.

For more information, contact Lori Conrad at 530-753-7731 or lconrad@cityofdavis.org, or visit www.citydavis.org.